Caring 2-year-old goes to dog shelter and chooses sick, shy pit bull in need of love

There are so many dogs in shelters, and they all just want one thing: to find their forever homes. But sadly, it can take some longer than others.

Whether it’s their breed, age, appearance or health issues, many dogs get constantly passed over by adopters, often in favor of younger, more conventionally cute puppies.

But sometimes a compassionate person comes along and opens their heart to these dogs. For one shelter pit bull, that compassionate person was a 2-year-old girl, who chose him out of all the dogs in the shelter.

When Audra Spurio took her 2-year-old daughter to the shelter to adopt a dog, she never expected she would be drawn to a sick and mangey pit bull. But the toddler, sensing the dog needed a little love and care, insisted.

“My daughter wanted to meet her more than any other dog at the shelter that day,” Audra told The Dodo. Even though she recalls the dog “stunk like mange,” the little girl kept insisting, “Mommy, that one.”

“Let the doggy out. Need help,” Gigi said.

So the girl got her wish, and Gigi took the pit bull outside to play. While the dog was scared and shy, but the toddler was loving and patient all the way.

Many kids would’ve been “grossed out” by the dog’s conditions, but Gigi only saw a friend in need of her help.

Playing outside, it was clear the two had a real, instant bond, as the girl gave the dog kisses and belly rubs.

“I watched this fearful dog melt in G’s hands,” Audra said. “She would not let my daughter leave her side.”

When the pit bull was placed back in her kennel, Gigi continued to plead with her mother to take the dog home so they could take care of her. “Sick doggy, go home,” the two-year-old says.

Thankfully, the young girl got her wish. Of all the dogs in the shelter that day, the sick pit bull was the one who won her heart, and the dog, now named Scarlett, is now in her new home.

“Scarlett is now at home and feeling much better,” Audra told The Dodo. “She still won’t let G out of her sight.”

The sweet story has garnered nearly 14 million views on YouTube, with many commenters saying that Gigi and her compassion for animals has given them hope for the future.